We've all been there. That moment when we're faced with a task or goal, and instead of tackling it head-on, we find ourselves crafting a perfectly reasonable excuse to put it off. It seems harmless at the time, even logical. But what if I told you that these seemingly innocuous excuses are chipping away at one of your most valuable assets; the trusting of yourself? Let's dive deep into this often-overlooked phenomenon and explore why excuses are more detrimental than you might think.
The Slippery Slope of Excuses
Excuses often start small and appear insignificant. "I can't go for a walk right now because it's raining, or I am too overweight to do…." you might tell yourself. Or perhaps, "I'll start that project tomorrow; I feel tired." These statements seem rational and justified right now. After all, who wants to get wet, workout, lose weight or do any work when they're exhausted?
But here's the catch: excuses tend to snowball or grow into something quite immense that is not at all positive. What starts as an occasional justification can quickly become an unscrupulous habit, creating a pattern of behavior that's quite arduous to break. Before you know it, you're making excuses for everything under the sun saying things such as:
“It's too cold/hot to go to the gym.”
“I’m too old to be doing …”
“I'll work on my goals next week, month or year.”
“I don't have time to learn that new skill right now.”
“I’m busy doing x, y, & z, therefore, I do not have time to.”
“I can do it by myself.”
“I have always done it this way, so there is no way I can change.”
“I’ve not been on a date in years, I don’t like this new age dating because…..”
Does any of this sound familiar to you? You see each and every excuse you make sets a precedent for the next one, creating a cycle of procrastination and missed opportunities. This cycle doesn't just affect your productivity; it strikes at the very core of trusting yourself and believing in your true capabilities. This negative self-talk become venom and this poison is not needed when life is full of chances to change into a more dynamic, functional and positive human conscious human being.
The Erosion of Self-Trust
Self-trust is the foundation of personal growth and achievement. It's the belief in your ability to follow through on your commitments, to push through challenges, and to achieve your goals. When you consistently make excuses, you're essentially telling yourself that you can't be relied upon, and you do not trust yourself. You're reinforcing the idea that your words and intentions don't align with your actions.
Over time, this misalignment can lead to:
1. Decreased self-confidence.
2. Increased self-doubt.
3. Lowered motivation.
4. Stagnation in personal and professional growth.
5. A sense of disappointment in oneself.
6. Destructive & Negative self-talk.
The more excuses you make, the less you trust yourself to overcome obstacles and achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. This erosion of self-trust can have far-reaching consequences in your personal and professional life, hindering your self-worth or how you see yourself and show up in the world.
Breaking the Excuse Cycle
Recognizing the pattern of making excuses is the first step toward breaking free from this bad habit. Often, excuses stem from underlying fears or limiting beliefs. However, when you are aware of what's holding you back, you can better address them head-on and avoid procrastination and operating from a place that is not productive.
Here are a few strategies to help you rebuild your self-trust and minimize excuses you may often defer to:
1. Be honest with yourself: When you're about to make an excuse, pause and ask yourself if it's truly valid or if you're avoiding feeling some discomfort.
2. Start small: Build self-trust by setting small, achievable goals and following through on them consistently.
3. Embrace discomfort: Remember that growth often lies outside your comfort zone. Pushing through discomfort can lead to significant personal development. So, push yourself to do something that makes you uncomfortable by doing it anyway, document how it makes you feel and the end results.
4. Hold yourself accountable: Share your goals with a friend or hire a coach to help you stay grounded and to help you achieve your goals. You do not have to go at anything alone and if you want to change there is always help available when you ask for it.
5. Reframe your language: Instead of seeing obstacles, look for ways to turn challenges into growth and learning opportunities. Mind your thoughts and words. Avoid saying thinking and saying things like "I can't, I won’t, or it is hard for me to…" try making statements like "I choose not to." This puts the power back in your hands and makes you confront the real reasons behind the decisions you make. Remember, we say it all the time, we as humans are some mighty powerful people; life and death are in the power of the tongue so speak life of you and those you love. Be extremely mindful about what comes out of your mouth; this is quite important and therefore you must be intentional here.
6. Celebrate your wins: Acknowledge when you follow through on your commitments, no matter how tiny they may be. This reinforces positive behavior and builds self-motivation and trust within, helping you to feel good internally.
7. Reduce distractions: Minimize things that pull your attention away from your priorities. Create an environment conducive to focus and productivity so that may accomplish what you set out to do rather than make excuses.
The Power of Following Through
Every time you choose action over excuses, you're depositing trust into your personal bank of self-confidence. These deposits accumulate over time, creating a robust foundation of self-trust that can weather any storm of excuses, doubt, or procrastination. Imagine the sense of accomplishment and self-respect you'll feel when you consistently honor your commitments to yourself. Picture the goals you'll achieve and the personal growth you'll experience when excuses are no longer holding you back from the life you have always dreamed of living.
Conclusion
Excuses may seem harmless to you at this moment, however, do note that excuses are insidious barriers that stand between you and your aspirations. By unmasking their hidden dangers and implementing strategies to combat them, you can break free from their shackles and unlock your full potential. Embrace accountability, shift your mindset, set clear goals, detoxify negative self-talk, and design an environment that supports your growth. Remember, the only thing holding you back is the excuses you allow to linger. It's time to step into your power and let your true potential shine!
Let's embark on this journey towards a life free from excuses and full of limitless possibilities!
Next Steps:
Commit to making some necessary changes to make less excuses. Hire Us to Coach you into being the best version of yourself.
The next step is to set up an exploratory clarity call (15 minutes) to discuss how coaching may benefit you.
Famous Quote:
“If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.”
―Jim Rohn
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